1. Prarthana Samaj was founded in Bombay in 1867 by Dr. Atmaram Pandurang.
2. It advocated inter-dining, inter-caste marriage, widow re-marriage, improvement of women and downtrodden classes, abolition of Purdha System and Child marriage.
3. The Samaj is founded night schools, asylum and Orphanages and other such institutions for the downtrodden people.